Canada’s LithiumBank Resources has announced the opening of its pilot plant in Calgary in an effort to harness Alberta's extensive lithium reserves.

The opening of the plant is expected to play an important role in the feasibility stage of the company's growth strategy as it progresses towards commercial exploitation.

The company noted that Alberta is recognised for its vast lithium deposits, present in the formation waters within oil and gas fields.

LithiumBank will use DLE technology from G2L Greenview Resources.

The technology is claimed to offer environmental and economic advantages over conventional lithium brine extraction methods.

This pilot project's objectives include achieving critical performance metrics, emphasising lithium recovery, selectivity, flow rate and concentrate quality.

The outcomes are expected to validate the commercial potential and scalability of LithiumBank's distinctive amalgamation of resource, process and design.

LithiumBank’s new facility is set to process 10,000 litres per day of lithium-enriched brines, positioning it among the largest DLE pilot plants in North America.

The Alberta Provincial Government has expressed support for the initiative, underscoring the region's commitment to the advancement of lithium production.

Designed to simulate around 1:5,000 of the scale of future commercial production modules, the pilot programme is scheduled to continue for up to 18 months.

LithiumBank executive chairman Paul Matysek said: “Licensing of our pilot plant is a large step forward and a major milestone for our company.

“We believe the successful application of our DLE technology could be instrumental for potentially jump-starting a new resource industry in the province.

“We look forward to testing brines from the large, inferred lithium resources found at our Boardwalk and Park Place properties.”